Kiana Kiashemshaki

Cybersecurity Nerd with a Software Engineer’s Heart

View Resume Portfolio

About Me

Kiana

I’m a Cybersecurity nerd with a Software Engineer’s heart. I got my bachelor’s in Software Engineering, earned my master’s in Computer Science specializing in Cybersecurity. Titles don’t matter to me, solving problems does. Whether it’s building applications, hardening systems, or securing infrastructure, I turn complexity into secure, scalable, and reliable solutions. Off the keyboard, you’ll find me crafting coffee foam art, strumming my guitar, or hitting the gym. Always up for new challenges, creative ideas, and good coffee. Let’s connect.

Skills

Front-End

  • HTML5, CSS3 & Responsive Design
  • JavaScript (ES6+) & React.js
  • Bootstrap & Tailwind CSS

Back-End

  • Node.js & Express.js
  • REST API Design & Authentication (JWT/OAuth)
  • MVC Architecture & Error Handling

Database Management

  • SQL: MySQL, PostgreSQL, MariaDB
  • NoSQL: MongoDB

Cybersecurity

  • FTK Imager, Autopsy, Magnet Axiom
  • Nmap, Wireshark, Burp Suite
  • Threat Modeling & Vulnerability Scanning

DevOps Tools

  • Docker & Docker Compose
  • GitHub Actions / GitLab CI/CD
  • Kubernetes

Cloud & Infrastructure

  • AWS (EC2, S3, RDS, IAM)
  • Terraform
  • Linux Server Setup & Security

Programming Languages

  • Python (Flask, Scripting, Automation)
  • C++ (Systems Programming)
  • Bash

Data Tools

  • Pandas, NumPy, Scikit-learn
  • Matplotlib, Seaborn
  • EDA, Feature Engineering

Secure Software Engineering

  • Secure Coding (OWASP Top 10)
  • Static Code Analysis & Threat Detection
  • Access Control, Input Validation & Sanitization

Resume

Experience

Graduate Teaching Assistant

Bowling Green State University (Aug 2023- May 2025)

  • Facilitate study sessions and labs for undergraduate students in "Operating Systems" and "Network Architecture & Applications".
  • Aide and grader for assignments and quizzes on Linux and C++ Programming.

Software Engineer

Green Host (Jun 2021- Jul 2022)

  • Developed and maintained user interface components using HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and React to enhance dashboard functionality.
  • Designed and integrated backend APIs with Node.js and Express.js for efficient data handling and processing.
  • Collaborated with the support team to resolve bugs, improve user experience, and contributed to deployment workflows using Git and CI/CD tools.
  • Managed and optimized relational databases, improving performance and scalability.

IT Support

Green Host (Jan 2020- Jun 2021)

  • Manage and maintain IT infrastructure, including servers, networks, and computer systems, ensuring optimal performance and security.
  • Monitor and troubleshoot network performance, resolving connectivity issues and optimizing network reliability.

Volunteer Experience

  • Research Assistant

    Bowling Green State University (Jan 2025 – Present)

    • Participate in cybersecurity and digital forensics research projects.
    • Contribute to academic papers by analyzing system artifacts and digital traces.
    • Work with forensic tools to uncover system-level security insights.
    • Tackle research challenges with a problem-solving mindset and curiosity.

  • Web Application Penetration Tester

    The Secure Signals Project (Apr 2025 – Present)

    • Perform manual and automated penetration tests on web applications.
    • Identify vulnerabilities based on the OWASP Top 10.
    • Use tools like OWASP ZAP and Burp Suite to simulate attacks and analyze responses.
    • Report findings with clear remediation suggestions to improve security posture.

Education

  • Master's in Computer Science, Cyber Security

    Bowling Green State University (Aug 2023 - May 2025)

    Coursework: Design and Analysis of Algorithms, Computer Systems Security, Network Security, Secure Software Engineering, AI for Software Engineering.

  • Bachelor's in Software Engineering

    Azad Tehran University (Sep 2015 - Apr 2019)

    Achievements: Awarded Best Graduate Teaching Assistant (Spring 2018).

Certifications

  • Full Stack Developer (Udemy)
  • AWS Cloud Practitioner (Udemy)
  • DevOps Engineering (Udemy)
  • Ethical Hacking (Udemy)
  • Technical Support (Google)

Projects

🏆 Piqniq – Emergency Support for Panic Attacks (2nd Place Winner – BGSU ACM Hackathon 2025)

Skills: TypeScript, CSS, JavaScript, HTML, UX/UI Design, Google Maps API

Developed a mobile-first app to support users during panic attacks by sending live location and alerts to emergency contacts. The interface includes a soothing breathing guide and a friendly virtual assistant to help reduce anxiety while help is on the way.

Demo GitHub

Comprehensive Analysis of Factors Affecting Mathematics Learning

Skills: Python, Pandas, NumPy, Scikit-learn, Matplotlib, Statistical Analysis, Machine Learning

Conducted a study analyzing factors influencing student performance in higher education mathematics. Built machine learning models for predictive insights and clustering techniques to group similar behaviors.

Demo GitHub

Water and Soil Analysis Visualization

Skills: HTML, CSS, JavaScript, D3.js, Bootstrap, Data Visualization, Web Development

Created interactive visualizations for field data related to water and soil behavior. Supported scientific exploration with dynamic and visually appealing interfaces.

Demo GitHub

South America Country's Analysis

Skills: D3.js, Bootstrap, JavaScript, Data Analysis, Data Visualization

Developed data visualizations for datasets representing 12 South American countries. Helped in exploring and analyzing regional data through dynamic charts and maps.

Demo GitHub

Face Detection Web Application

Skills: Python, Flask, OpenCV, MTCNN, Web Application Development, Computer Vision

Built a web application for face detection in uploaded images using the MTCNN algorithm. Provided a clean user interface for image uploads and efficient detection results.

GitHub

TinDog: Dog Matchmaking Platform

Skills: HTML, CSS, Bootstrap, Responsive Design

Designed and developed a playful web application for dog lovers to find matches for their pets. Integrated responsive design with Bootstrap for a seamless user experience and showcased key features like pricing plans and testimonials.

Demo GitHub

Publications

  • Comparing LNK File and Jump List Artifacts on Windows 11 with those on Windows 10

    Under Review

  • Breakthroughs in Brain Tumor Detection: Leveraging Deep Learning and Transfer Learning for MRI-Based Classification

    Under Review

Honors & Awards

🏆 2nd Place – BGSU ACM Hackathon 2025

Awarded for creating Piqniq, an emergency alert app designed to support users through panic attacks.

🎖️ Awarded Full Tuition Waiver – Department of Computer Science, BGSU

Recipient of a full tuition waiver awarded by the Department of Computer Science at Bowling Green State University for the entire duration of my master's program.